South Dakota Gun Laws and How They Differ From Neighboring States

South Dakota gun laws differ from surrounding states including Nebraska, Minnesota and Iowa. The Mount Rushmore State doesn't require a background check before an unlicensed person transfers the firearm to someone else, according to the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

Also, the state does not require gun dealers to get a state license, regulate the transfer or ownership of assault weapons, 50-caliber rifles, or large-capacity ammunition magazines. Gun owners don't need to get a license, register their weapons, or report lost or stolen firearms.

A buyer can purchase as many weapons as he/she likes. There's no limit to how many firearms can be bought at one time. Unsafe handguns such as "junk" guns or "Saturday night specials" aren't regulated.

However, in the state of Minnesota, they regulate unsafe guns and requires some restrictions to prevent a child from using the owner's gun. The state also require individuals to undergo background checks depending on the firearm purchased and also prior to the transfer of a firearm between private parties, unlike South Dakota.

In 2009, South Dakota repealed its 48-hour wait, but its neighboring state, Iowa imposes a three-day waiting period on handgun permits. Iowa does not require individuals who are purchasing a long gun from an unlicensed individual to go through a background check.

Nebraska does give local authorities the right to regulate firearms, which South Dakota does not. Local law enforcement can't deny a concealed handgun permit. Similar to South Dakota, Nebraska doesn't significantly regulate ammunition.

In South Dakota, it's legal to carry a firearm openly, if the owner isn't a felon or otherwise banned from having a weapon. If someone wants to conceal a weapon under his coat or if a woman wants to keep a firearm in her purse, that person would need a concealed pistol permit.

South Dakota gun laws differ from surrounding states including Nebraska, Minnesota and Iowa. The Mount Rushmore State doesn't require a background check before an unlicensed person transfers the firearm to someone else, according to the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

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